Mains laying work is expected to conclude next month as part of a scheme to bring natural gas to the Mountsandel area.

Provider firmus energy recently hosted an information session to brief local representatives about plans to extend its network.

Ryan O’Neill, firmus energy advisor, explains: “We have ambitious plans to extend our network over the next few years and are currently undertaking pipe laying in the Mountsandel area.

“This will mean that a further 530 homes will have the opportunity to switch to natural gas and all the advantages it provides.

“The total main laying value for this project is £380,000 and we anticipate that the work in the Mountsandel area will be complete by the end of January 2017.

“There are no road closures planned and it is our intention to keep disruption to a minimum and work with the local community to carry out the works as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

The company points out it already has more than 3,500 customers in the Causeway Coast and Glens area and has made an investment of approximately £13.5 million in the local natural gas infrastructure.

Over the past 10 years, since connecting its first customer in the area, the Causeway Hospital, firmus energy has grown rapidly and now supplies natural gas to around 80,000 residential and commercial customers across Northern Ireland.

This has involved an investment of over £100 million in the local economy with more than 1000km of pipeline laid.

Mr O’Neill continued: “Natural gas brings many benefits including up to a 30% reduction in carbon emissions compared to oil, the convenience of a constant supply of energy, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, no need for storage facilities or the worry of ordering or running out of fuel.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about natural gas from firmus energy can visit www.firmusenergy.co.uk or contact one of its customer advisors on 0800 032 4567.